Distribution of pay raise for 2012-13 remains a sticking point
By Jennifer Eisenbart
Editor
Depending upon whom you ask, the money the Burlington Area School District allocated for salaries for the 2012-13 school year can be best distributed in one of two ways.
One would be putting compensation toward the older, more experienced teachers. And the other way, well, would not.
Because neither the BASD representatives nor the Burlington Education Association are making progress toward middle ground on the negotiation process, a mediation meeting has been scheduled for Sept. 30 at 6 p.m.
The meeting is closed to the public, but will take place at the district office. According to BEA President Bill Berkholtz, the decision of the mediator is non-binding.
The two sides exchanged proposals about six months ago for the 2012-13 school year, and have not been able to reach an agreement. Because last year’s pay schedule is not final, the salary for the 2013-14 has not even reached the negotiation phase.
Berkholtz said the BEA accepted that the district budgeted just a 2 percent raise, and was willing to work within that parameter.
“We were not happy with how they distributed it,” he said. “We felt it wouldn’t have been a good settlement for our experienced staff.”
BASD Superintendent Peter Smet didn’t offer any insight on the process, preferring to stick with the facts.
“Both parties cannot reach an agreement, so a mediator is coming in,” said Smet.
BASD ranks among the highest districts in the state for salaries. However, much of that is due to the fact that the teaching staff is one of the most experienced in the state as well.
As a result, with many teachers owning not only a master’s degree but additional credits and certifications beyond, the salaries come in on the high end of the salary schedule BASD has established.
Berkholtz said Wednesday that the experienced staff has produced results.
“We’ve demonstrated that we’ve been able to help kids achieve,” said Berkholtz. He also added that, since Act 10 requires staff to pay toward retirement and the district now asking teachers to accept more out-of-pocket expenses with health insurance, the wages being earned aren’t as impressive as they look.
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Please Keep this In Mind
-I just got my New Asset Value of my 2 bdrm Cottage Home I live in, in my Retirement
-They say it’s worth $100k
-Then why did I have to pay $1,656 In Real Estate Taxes Last yr? That is the highest % ratio ( 1.65%) I have Ever had to Pay since Moving here to retire in 2003.
If you want Retireees to Live here? You better come up with a Real Estate Tax Break for Wi. Residential Retiree’s and very Soon..
We moved from another State that Seniors Got a $450 RE Tax Deduction off their RE Taxes for Being Residents and Seniors..
Everyone else with Kids, Rental properties & Non Residential Owners paid more..
Why can’t We Seniors get the same Deal?
Don’t mind paying more Taxes , if It Increases the Value of our Homes, but it Hasn’t! My Place is worth about the same Now as it was when we Bought it in 2003..( $100k)
And If you Include Inflation? It’s now Worth Less !Alot Less!
At 2.5% Inflation? That $100k is worth about $78k..in current dollars… Does it not?
More and More Of my Neighbors that Moved up here are leaving..and their Homes? Sit Idle for Several Yrs before being sold at 2003 Prices..
Dear Retired, I feel your pain and agree with you. I am not ready to retire but around 50 years old. I have a 2bdr/1 bath house that the new assessment says my house is worth $150,000. I told the appraisal company to line up some buyers for me because if I can get around $150,000, I am ready to get out of town. I believe a big reason for the constant rise in taxes is the statement from the article which says “BASD ranks among the highest districts in the state for salaries. However, much of that is due to the fact that the teaching staff is one of the most experienced in the state as well.” Not a good enough job has been done to keep down the average salary of our educators over the years.
As has been the cry of the Tea Party … if you not like it … then move. Retired, I feel sorry for you. It looks like you made some poor choices as it pertains to your retirement. Why on earth you would choose to retire in WI is beyond me. Most people I know do a little research in regards to taxes before they retire and choose to retire to a state like the one you say you moved from. I choose to live and pay the taxes here because I feel that I get a good value for my tax dollar, especially when it come to the opportunities my children have had in the BASD school system. The greatest influence upon their success has been the outstanding teachers in the classroom. As my children have made their way through the schools, it is the experienced teachers that they have enjoyed and learned the most from.
There have been great enthusiastic young teachers too, I just hope that this district can keep and nurture them. It seems that BASD has started to become a revolving door. Each year it seems they are hiring more and more new teachers, not due to retirements, but simply because they can not keep them here. Part of Act 10’s selling point was to provide school districts the tools to get rid of the bad teachers and reward the good ones. Even the local tea party candidates touted that as part of their respect portion of their platform. It looks as though that tool is broken, just like Scott Walker’s promise for 250,000 jobs. BASD has gotten rid of some staff, but how do they reward the ones left behind? Classes that are overloaded, no substantial pay raises, and higher costs out of pocket for health insurance. If you don’t want to move, then wait a few more years … the salaries should come down as the experienced teachers figure out the next step in their careers and the revolving classroom door is permanently installed. As for me, I am sure I will move as well, but I will wait it out until my children finish at BHS. I encourage you to visit or volunteer in any of the schools to see the wonderful opportunities our tax dollars are providing for the children of this area. “You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone.” The residents of this area have done a great job building this school system, it is a shame to see it starting to deteriorate. I am glad my family has been here for some of the good years.